Faith and Work News ~ Links to Interesting Articles
- Why Joy at Work Matters. Maxwell Anderson writes “And from what I’ve seen, joy can be found in almost any line of work. You don’t need to be convinced of this idea, I just ask you to consider it.” He then shows a video from the program Undercover Boss to illustrate his point.
- 7 Things Every Leader Needs to Quit Immediately. Ron Edmundson shares some things that he has learned the hard way – things to quit.
- God Uses Books to Transform People. Carey Bustard interviews Byron Borger about his work. Borger, along with his wife, Beth, has owned and operated Hearts & Minds, an independent bookstore, in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, for 33 years.
- Elevate One on Ones to Power Moments. Dan Rockwell writes “When you want others to take personal ownership, say “you” not “we”. Reserve “we” for topics that include several people, including yourself.”
- Are You Stuck In Your Comfort Zone? Chris Patton writes “Begin praying that God would call you out of your comfort zone and into experiences you cannot even imagine right now!”
- Ten Questions for Work that Matters. Seth Godin offers these ten thought-provoking questions.
- 3 Factors That (Almost) Guarantee Success. Steve Graves writes “When I’m trying to get my hands around a new organization or a new concept in fast fashion, or when I want to test its viability, I primarily look at three things: tailwinds, edges, and depth.”
- Three Warning Signs You Are Wasting Time. Eric Geiger writes “There is a deep connection between wisdom and making the most of the limited time we have been given. Wise people recognize the brevity of this life and steward their time well.”
- Four Ways to Unleash the Power in Others. Dan Rockwell writes “The real issue for those who aspire to lead successfully is the way you pursue success. Don’t suppress your passion to be remarkable. Channel your passion for remarkable leadership into unleashing the power in others.”
- How to Tell Who You Can Deeply Trust in Leadership. Carey Nieuwhof writes “Here are 3 ways to tell who you can truly trust in leadership. I’ve framed it in the form of 3 questions.”
- 2016: Your Year of Living Intentionally. John Maxwell writes “We live in a culture that encourages good intentions, but is less excited about being intentional – and there’s a big difference.”
- Everybody Matters Podcast: Dan Rockwell. Bob Chapman visits with one of my favorite leadership bloggers Dan “Leadership Freak” Rockwell.
- Will God Call Me To a Career I Don’t Enjoy? Listen to this episode of “Ask Pastor John” with John Piper.
- Juggling Parenting and Work: 5 Myths to Overcome. Selma Wilson writes “All parents are working parents and the mix of work inside and outside the home is unique to each family. I am often asked to speak on this issue with the hope that I can provide a formula that helps balance it all. I’m sorry to tell you, but there isn’t a formula. There are, however, some myths to overcome.”
- 3 Signs of a Sick Team Culture. William Vanderbloemen shares some key indicators of a sick team culture from Bryan Rhinehart.
- Daring Destinations. In this month’s episode of the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, Andy starts a conversation with author and CEO Cheryl Bachelder on how to make bold decisions that drive superior performance results.
- 12 Often Overlooked Practices Great Leaders Develop That Poor Leaders Don’t. Carey Neiuwhof shares 12 overlooked practices as often-missed qualities and characteristics of the best leaders he knows.
Faith and Work Quotes 
- Christians are called to redeem entire cultures, not just individuals. Charles Colson
- I asked that [work] should be looked upon, not as a necessary drudgery to be undergone for the purpose of making money, but as a way of life in which the nature of man should find its proper exercise and delight and so fulfill itself to the glory of God. Dorothy Sayers
- It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything. A. W. Tozer
- A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, each has the work and office of his trade, and yet they are all alike consecrated priests and bishops, and every one by mean of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other. Martin Luther
- The problem with Western Christians is not that they aren’t where they should be but that they aren’t what they should be where they are. Os Guinness
- Too much of my time passes in busy idleness. John Newton
- Our calling is not to stay alive, but to stay in love with Jesus. John Piper
- Prayer must not be our intermittent work but our daily business, our habit and vocation. Charles Spurgeon
- We must stop dividing business and ministry. We are to make the Kingdom economy touchable in our most marginalized areas. Michael Rhodes
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. Crossway. 192 pages. 2003
Other than the Bible, this small book by John Piper has had the most influence on my life. It played a key role in my returning to seminary after ten years in 2005. I have read it almost each year since it was published in 2003. Listen to John Piper describe the book in this less than two-minute video.
This week we look at Chapter 6 The Goal of Life— Gladly Making Others Glad in God
- It is impossible to risk your life to make others glad in God if you are an unforgiving person. If you are wired to see other people’s faults and failures and offenses, and treat them roughly, you will not take risks for their joy.
- The question is, do we lean toward mercy? Do we default to grace? Do we have a forgiving spirit? Without it we will walk away from need and waste our lives.
- God is the goal of forgiveness. He is also the ground and the means of forgiveness. It comes from him; it was accomplished through his Son; and it leads people back to him with their sins cast into the deepest sea. Therefore the motive for being a forgiving person is the joy of being freely and joyfully at home with God.
- What is the nature and aim of glad-hearted, Christian giving? It is the effort—with as much creativity and sacrifice as necessary—to give others everlasting and ever-increasing joy2—joy in God.
- By gladly pursuing the gladness of others in God—even at the cost of our lives—we love them and honor God. This is the opposite of a wasted life.
- How then do we make others glad in God?
- There are two clarifications I should make. The first clarification is that, of course, we can’t make anyone glad in God. Joy in God is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
- The second clarification is that gladness in God is not a peripheral religious experience.
- I am saying that gladness in God is the goal of all saving work, and the experiential essence of what it means to be saved. Without this joy in God, there would be no salvation.